Whether you can't start the day without a freshly brewed cup of tea or have just started exploring tea options for the first time, there are plenty of ways to enjoy this popular beverage. From the most delicate or floral teas to full-bodied tea varieties, there's a kind of tea to suit every occasion and taste.
With so many tea choices available, it can be hard to know which type to try first. Our tea varieties list explains everything you need to know about different tea categories to help create your perfect cup.
Types of tea
Before we dive into different types of tea, it's essential to understand where tea comes from. Most tea varieties are made from the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant. This small shrub grows in tropical and subtropical countries and is the key ingredient in most teas.
After being harvested by skilled tea pickers, the plant's green leaves are processed to become different kinds of tea. First, tea manufacturers blow the leaves with hot air to cause them to wither. They then process the tea leaves by breaking them into smaller pieces by hand or using a machine.
Next, the leaves are exposed to oxygen in a process known as oxidation. The degree of oxidation determines the tea's type, color, and flavor. Once the tea reaches the correct level of oxidation, it's dried to preserve its taste profile.
Most teas start life in the same way — with lush, juicy Camellia Sinensis leaves — but different processing techniques produce a wide array of tea options. The following list details some of the most common tea types and how to enjoy them.
Black tea
Black tea is the most commonly consumed tea in the world, from the warming, spice-infused Chai to breakfast tea blends. Black tea is fully oxidized, which turns the tea leaves black and gives the drink a more robust flavor and higher caffeine content than other tea varieties. Brewing black tea leaves with hot water produces an amber to dark brown beverage.
While many people enjoy black tea alone, it's also a key ingredient in several famous tea blends. For example, Earl Grey contains black tea and bergamot oil which creates a fragrant, citrus and spiced flavor profile. In the West, people typically drink black tea hot with or without milk and sugar. However, there are several other ways to enjoy black tea:
The flavor profile of black tea depends on several factors, including the growing climate, soil conditions and plant variety. Many people describe the taste of some black teas as earthy, smoky, or malty, and still others can be described as lighter and more floral.
Green tea
Green tea comes from the same plant as black tea. However, it undergoes minimal oxidation because growers steam or fry the leaves soon after harvesting to halt the process. Therefore, green tea is typically lighter in hue, with colors ranging from golden to dark green. It also has a milder flavor and lower caffeine content than black tea. Most people consume green tea hot without milk or sugar. However, you can also serve it cold over ice for a cooling beverage. Depending on your preferences, you could add honey or lemon to your green tea or explore green tea blends. Common blends include green tea infused with mint, orange or ginger.
The flavor profile of green tea varies depending on the processing method. Steamed green tea leaves often produce an earthy, slightly citrus taste, while pan-fried green tea tends to be sweeter and tastes mildly toasted.
White tea
White tea is minimally processed, giving it a pale, straw-like color and delicate flavor. It's made by picking young tea leaves before they open and drying them rapidly to prevent oxidation. While preparing white tea, manufacturers often recommend allowing the boiled water to cool slightly before adding it to the tea leaves. Cooling the water prevents scalding and protects the tea's flavor and aroma.
The lack of oxidation gives white tea a particularly subtle flavor, which people often describe as herby, floral or grassy. It's common to enjoy white tea without milk, sugar or other flavorings because these ingredients can overpower the tea's taste.
Oolong tea
Oolong tea is made by partially oxidizing tea leaves. It's less oxidized than black tea but more oxidized than green tea, although the oxidation level varies significantly between varieties. Some oolong teas have a maltier, earthier taste, similar to black tea, while others have a milder, green tea-like flavor.
Tea masters shape oolong tea leaves by rolling or curling them. Shaping the tea leaves releases oils and enzymes, allowing the manufacturer to alter the flavor profile to create floral, sweet, or grassy aromas.
Preparation and serving depend on the oolong variety, but most people drink these teas hot without milk or sugar. However, you can add honey to sweeten your oolong tea and enhance the flavor.
Rooibos tea
Unlike black, green, and white tea, rooibos tea comes from the leaves and stems of a South African plant called Aspalathus Linearis. It isn't technically a true tea but a herbal infusion.
Rooibos manufacturers usually harvest the plant by hand and wrap the leaves and stems in bundles to oxidize before drying and packing them. As they oxidize, the plant turns the distinctive red color associated with rooibos tea. Alternatively, drying the leaves immediately stops the oxidation process to create green rooibos tea. Rooibos tea is most commonly consumed hot, with or without milk and sugar. However, you can also make cold rooibos by chilling the tea and pouring it over ice and slices of fresh fruit or ginger.
Because it comes from a different plant, rooibos doesn't contain tannins like most tea types. Therefore, it lacks the bitter taste of black and green tea. People often describe red rooibos as sweet, vanilla, nutty, or woody. Green rooibos has a lighter, sweeter and mildly grassy flavor.
Herbal tea
While they may resemble tea, herbal teas don't actually contain tea leaves. Instead, they're made from dried fruit, spice, flower or herb infusions called tisanes. Generally, people prepare herbal teas by steeping the infusion in hot water, although the preparation method depends on the ingredients.
Popular herbal teas include:
The color and flavor of herbal tea depend on the ingredients used to infuse it. For example, chamomile tea has a sweet, floral flavor, while ginger tea has a livelier, earthier taste with more of a kick.
Some folk medicine traditions use herbal teas to treat common ailments. For instance, valerian tea is traditionally used to improve sleep and some people use turmeric tea to reduce inflammation.
Herbal tea infusions are incredibly varied, and there are several ways to enjoy them. While they're commonly consumed hot without milk or sugar, some people add sweeteners, citrus and other ingredients to enhance the flavor.
Tips for brewing the perfect tea
Achieving the right water temperature is essential for preserving the flavor of your tea. Over-boiling your water can dull the taste, so you should add the hot water to your tea bag or tea leaves as soon as it boils. A kettle with good thermal precision can help you achieve the optimal temperature for your brew.
Steeping your tea for the correct time enables you to enjoy the best possible taste. It's worth using your watch to time your brew, as relying on the color isn't accurate. While the water changes color rapidly, it takes longer to extract the flavor.
As a rule of thumb, stronger teas require longer steeping times. Black and chai teas taste best after brewing for 3-5 minutes, while green tea requires around 2 minutes. Some white tea varieties steep in as little as 60 seconds. However, you should defer to the packaging instructions for the correct preparation method for your product. What makes a perfect cup of tea varies from person to person. Testing different categories of tea and trying different brewing techniques can help you find the best brew for you.
Embracing tea variety: explore your tea choices
Exploring different tea flavors is just the first step in finding your favorite type of tea. While the tea variety significantly impacts the flavor, experimenting with sweeteners, infusions, and different milks allows you to customize your cup to your unique preferences.